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The Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa (FESJA) condemns in the strongest terms possible the sustained attack on foreign nationals in South Africa. There is growing ill-treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, but depressingly they are only targeting the Africans.  FESJA has noted several reports on social media from members of the African community in South Africa making complaints of mistreatment and attacks on truck drivers from our sister countries. We are also concerned that this came after the South African government through its minister of finance, Tito Mboweni, indicated that certain jobs will be reserved for South Africans. Such groundless judgment created the false impression that foreign nationals were responsible for economic woes in South Africa. Ill-treatment of foreign nationals is inexplicable because it exposes the unwillingness of locals to accept the harsh reality that no country can leave in isolation.

Our cross border drivers are already contributing immensely to our economy, especially those facilitating exportation of our locally produced goods. Thus, FESJA is calling on our government to take a zero-tolerance approach and to immediately take action to stop these attacks and provide safe passage for these key workers. These attacks are reprehensible but also at a time when we need to trade with other countries, this is a message we can ill-afford to hear. Acts of xenophobia expose south African cross border drivers to brutal response in other countries.

Foreign Truck drivers particularly of African origin, have been selectively called derogatory names and physically assaulted in south Africa. In Durban, a driver was reportedly attacked and left for dead. In Gauteng, similar reports describe drivers as being spat on and threatened with forced deportation. These are just a few examples among many across numerous cities, including Cape Town and Musina. FESJA urges all authorities to prevent, condemn, and enforce “strong actions” against the perpetrators of all forms of xenophobic attacks. It is not only criminal but also shameful to be selective when treating foreign nationals. Like a rainbow, South Africa must lead the way in combating xenophobia in all its manifestations through social justice. The people of this country must, through Ubuntu praxis, demonstrate that foreign drivers pose no threat to our fight for economic emancipation nor do they present any impediment to the achievement of a developed South Africa. 

FESJA demands that we treat all persons in the country, South Africans and foreign alike, as equals. If we are going to allow this inexcusable act to continue, we risk rolling back the gains of our freedom under the mantra, South Africa is for all who live in it. Henceforth, FESJA strongly demands that authorities should state the ill-treatment of foreign nationals. FESJA also immediately demands the cessation of ill-treatment of truck drivers meted out to our fellow Africans. There is a need to coordinate a sustainable response over a considerable period in the fight against xenophobia. Lastly, all peace-loving people must speak out forcefully against all acts of discrimination, intimidation, and violence against foreign national truck drivers.

Issued by Foundation for Education and Social Justice Africa